Thursday, March 30, 2023
Covering Lee County Alabama
An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.' Opelika, Alabama
Vol. 15, No. 25
Going Blue for a Good Cause East Alabama Event Raises Autism Awareness PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
PHOTO BY MICHELLE KEY / THE OBSERVER
Niffer's Roof Collapses
Storms tore through East Alabama Sunday night, March 26, causing damage to the roof and back wall of the building housing Niffer's Place in downtown Opelika. Niffer’s stated in a Facebook post that it is grateful that no one was in the building at the time of the storm and that there were no injuries. The restaurant will be closed until further notice pending repairs. Its Auburn location, at 1151 Opelika Road, is open for business.
Opelika Character Week Slated for April 3 through 7 PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA — Envision Opelika’s Character Council is on a mission to inspire citizens
to live by the qualities of good character. These qualities include things such as: loyalty,
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
honor, sincerity, integrity, gratitude, resilience, benevolence, courage,
OPELIKA — East Alabama’s 12th annual Going Blue for Autism event is slated for this Saturday, April 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Courthouse Square in downtown Opelika. The city of Opelika will declare April Autism Awareness Month with a proclamation to begin the festivities. “The purpose of the event is to bring awareness and acceptance of autism in our community and throughout the state,” said Event Organizer Luanne Helms. Helms is an Opelika native whose son, Jake, has autism. Helms said one of the reasons she continues to lead the setup of this yearly event is because of her personal connection to people living with disabilities. “Autism is a passion for me,” she said. “At this
See CHARACTER, page A3
See AUTISM, page A3
The Opelika Character Council March 21 received a proclamation from Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council proclaiming the week of April 3 through 7 as Character Week. BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
The Fountain at Courthouse Square was tinted blue as part of last year's "Going Blue for Autism" event.
CONTENTS
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ENTERTAINMENT ...... A7 OPINION ................. A8 RELIGION .............. A13 OBITUARIES ........... A14 COMICS .................. A16
SPORTS ................... B1 POLITICS ................. B9 PUBLIC NOTICES ..... B12 CLASSIFIEDS .......... B14 PUZZLES ................ B15